Services - Dental Hygiene, Crowns, Bridges and Implants

What is preventative care and why is it so important? Basically, it consists of a thorough cleaning of your teeth, a rinse, floss and polish. The hygienist and dentist, Dr. Galloway, are also checking for cavities, gum recession, signs of periodontal disease and other dental issues that you can’t always identify for yourself. 

Dental hygiene and cleanings every six months can help promote better care at home as well as prevent the buildup of plaque and calculus (tartar) that can cause more serious dental issues. Home Care 

Dr. Galloway recommends the use of a soft bristled toothbrush to prevent those aggressive brushers from causing too much gum irritation; toothpaste that is recommended by the American Dental Association is preferred. Brushing at least twice a day (after every meal is ideal) and flossing at least once a day will help keep the buildup of plaque minimal between your checkups.

Missing or Broken Teeth 

It is important to replace or repair missing or broken teeth. Your bite does not come together as it should if your teeth are missing or broken and this can allow your teeth to shift. Missing teeth, especially if there are several in one area can cause your cheeks to look sunken which can prematurely age your face. Dr. Galloway is very experienced in placing crowns, bridges and implants which are used to replace or repair those missing or fractured teeth. Crowns A crown is a cap (shaped like a tooth) that is placed over your tooth to improve its strength and appearance and restore it to a more normal size and shape. You might ask: “Why do I need a crown?”. Here are some common reasons why Dr. Galloway may recommend a crown: 

· Severe decay that has compromised the strength of the tooth

· Root canals (most teeth that have had root canals need a crown placed on them)

· Cracked or fractured teeth

· Implants

· Excessive wear on your teeth

Bridges 

A bridge is “just that” a dental appliance that bridges the gap between teeth. If you are missing a tooth, you have a couple options; you can get an implant and crown or a bridge. A bridge has two crowns, one each end that fit over your teeth and the center “tooth” (or “teeth” if you are missing more than one) is a false tooth. 

Implants An implant is an artificial root that is placed into the bone with a crown placed over it. Implants are used to replace missing teeth due to trauma, genetics or periodontal disease. 

So, you have an infected root or an abscess and need a root canal; Dr. Galloway can help! 

Root canal therapy is usually performed when the nerve (or pulp) becomes inflamed or infected. 

Causes of Inflammation/Infection: 

·       Deep decay

·       Trauma 

·       A crack or chip in the tooth 

·       Multiple dental Procedures on the tooth 

Root canal therapy involves removing the inflamed or infected nerve and cleaning the inside of the tooth. The tooth is then filled and sealed. After the root canal therapy, the tooth is restored with a crown or filling for protection. 

Root canal therapy allows you to keep your teeth your tooth and continue to use it for the rest of your life, in most cases, with good home care. 

If you are missing multiple teeth, dentures are a perfectly acceptable option. Dr. Galloway provides Partial Dentures, Complete Dentures, Overdentures, Implant-retained dentures and Immediate dentures. Dentures can be made from many different materials. Dr. Galloway and his staff are happy to show you examples of each option to give you the tools to make an educated decision in your treatment care.